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Wigginton belts game-winning homer as Astros edge Pirates

Aug 26, 2007 - 10:57 PM By Ted Dunnam PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

HOUSTON (Ticker) - Pittsburgh Pirates manger Jim Tracy's decision backfired.

Ty Wigginton hit the go-ahead homer in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Houston Astros rallied for a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in Sunday's series finale.

Pittsburgh led, 4-3, in the eighth with one out before Houston's Luke Scott double to center to chase reliever Damaso Marte.

Tracy then called upon righthander Shawn Chacon (4-4), whose first offering to Wigginton was drilled into the left field stands for his 19th homer.

"I was just looking for a pitch I could drive," Wigginton said. "I just wanted to have a good at-bat and get Luke (Scott) in. It definitely feels good anytime you hit a home run to win a game."

"It was a first-pitch slider," Chacon said. "I was just trying to get ahead of the batter. It wasn't the best slider, but it was a pitch he could handle - and he handled it."

Houston manager Phil Garner predicted the home run to assistant coach Cecil Cooper just moments before it happened.

"It was about time," Garner said. "We haven't had one of those in a while."

Houston's Mark McLemore (3-0) struck out three batters in two scoreless innings and closer Brad Lidge shut the door in the ninth for his 13th save.

In the sixth inning, Scott had an RBI groundout against Pirates starter Tony Armas, and Mark Loretta delivered a run-scoring single one out later as the Astros trimmed the deficit to 4-3.

Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez gave up four runs and seven hits with seven strikeouts and three walks over 5 1/3 innings to remain winless since July 26.

"(Rodriguez) had his foot to the pedal," Garner said. "He was grinding, he was trying a little too hard."

The Astros took a 1-0 lead in the first, when Lance Berkman singled home Chris Burke, who was hit by a pitch. But the Pirates produced the equalizer in the second as Jason Bay doubled and scored on Cesar Izturis's RBI single to left.

Armas pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs and seven hits while walking one and striking out four.

"I felt pretty good out there. My location was good, and I felt strong," Armas said. "I think I've been pretty consistent lately. It's just a matter of repetition.

"This was a tough game to lose, but at least we're playing good baseball. We just need to keep doing it."

In the fifth, All-Star Freddie Sanchez homered off Rodriguez, his 10th of the season, to push Pittsburgh's lead to 4-1.

It appeared at that point that the Pirates would secure Armas' third win in his last four starts.

"I thought we did everything we could possibly do to win the game," Tracy said. "They got a couple of big at-bats, and that's all it takes."

Tracy shook off the loss quickly and focused on what lies ahead.

"It was a terrific road trip," Tracy said. "Now, we've got a day off and we get to give our bullpen a chance to recharge their batteries and get ready for a doubleheader on Tuesday (vs. Cincinnati)."

Pittsburgh's Romulo Sanchez made his major league debut in the seventh, issuing a leadoff walk to Burke. However, the righthander got rookie Hunter Pence to hit into a 1-6-3 double play before being pulled.

Although Houston's Craig Biggio only pinch hit Sunday, the victory was nevertheless memorable as his long-time teammate, Jeff Bagwell, had his No. 5 jersey retired during a pre-game ceremony.

"If you're going to retire somebody's number, you can't lose the game," Biggio said. "The Pirates have been a thorn in our side this season. It was good to get the win."